Support Awa’s Dream to Help Her Family in Mali

Story

My name is Awa Sidibe, and I was born and raised in Mali, West Africa. Growing up was incredibly challenging. My parents had very little, and every day was a fight to survive. As one of nine children, I witnessed the daily sacrifices my parents made to keep us fed and safe. As a young girl, I loved playing soccer. But in Mali, soccer is seen as a man’s sport—about 98% male-dominated. I often played against boys because there were no girls’ teams. By the time I reached 9th grade, my mother, out of concern, asked me to stop. That’s when my uncle introduced me to basketball—a sport where Malian women have thrived. I was inspired seeing how the women’s national team consistently won African championships, and how their victories often led to government support that helped transform their families’ lives. I fell in love with basketball and worked hard every day—not just for myself, but for my family. I was blessed to make the Malian national team at a young age. Eventually, I earned a scholarship to continue both my academic and athletic journey in the United States. My path wasn’t easy. I faced many challenges in high school, but I held onto my dream. I received several offers from major programs like Texas Tech, Murray State, Arkansas, and Rutgers. When I visited Rutgers, I knew it was where I belonged. It felt like home. That feeling of loyalty and belonging stayed with me—many schools tried to recruit me again through the portal, but I never left Rutgers. They believed in me when others didn’t. That’s why I wanted to graduate from here—because this university, its academic staff, and its people have meant everything to me. Now that I’ve graduated and proudly started every game during my time here, I find myself facing the hardest chapter of my life. My parents are aging and no longer able to work. My mother is sick, and most of my cost-of-attendance money went toward her medical expenses. My father is no longer working, and my family has no stable source of income in a country still struggling economically. As an international student, I can’t legally work until authorized, and now that I’ve graduated, I am no longer eligible to receive financial aid. I truly don’t know what’s next. My heart is heavy, but I’m still holding on to hope. That’s why I am humbly asking for your help. I am planning to open a GoFundMe to support my living expenses and help me stay here while I navigate the next steps of my future—whether that’s playing professionally, continuing my education, or finding a way to support my family. Every donation, big or small, would mean the world to me. If you’re a coach, donor, staff member, teammate, or friend—thank you for being part of this journey. I would not have made it this far without Rutgers, and I believe in the power of this community. Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for helping me hold on to hope.